On the serious side, it IS amazing that homeschooling is getting so
mainstream that we've actually become a target market for real estate
brokers. I don't know if I want to trade my rather-small home on 10
acres for a mansion in Detroit, but at least my boys could walk to
college! :-)

---

NEWS! I'll be in Lansing at the INCH convention this coming weekend
(May 4-5) with a large selection from my bookstore, Beloved Books! We'll
have wonderful, gently priced used books, and 'always half price'
award-winning NEW books -- great titles to build your home library, and
all the audio resources from our website, http://www.BelovedBooks.com

Please stop and say hello if you have plans to be there! -- Heather :-)

Written by a homeschool student and her mom, the books in the
Truth Seekers Mystery Series are so much more than 'who-dunnits'.
The authors successfully weave mystery and intrigue with clear
explanations of facts that support a Creation science perspective.
As your family reads these books, they will find their faith
strengthened and be armed with facts to support a Biblical worldview.

So far there have been three books released in the series: 'The
Missing Link: Found', 'Dinosaur Quest at Diamond Peak', and, the
latest title, 'The Keys to the Past: Unlocked'. We were sent the
first two titles for this review.

Throughout the series you get to know the Murphy family, led by
archeologist-turned-professional photographer, Jack. Teens Anna
and Christian help their father on various assignments and find
themselves on the edge (sometimes literally) of some hair-raising
experiences. Science facts are related as the teens discuss dis-
coveries with those characters who do not hold the same beliefs as
their family. Throughout these discussions lots of detailed informa-
tion is relayed, which can sometimes be a bit challenging for the
reader to wade through. Thankfully, the authors have included an
extensive glossary and bibliography for those who wish to do more
reading. Felice Gerwitz has also written literature guides, which
we'll talk about next. Even though these books contain quite a bit
of science jargon -- after all this is a science-based series -- the
stories have a smooth flow and are a lot of fun to read.

As mentioned above, Felice has done an excellent job providing an
opportunity for deeper study and understanding of both science and
language arts concepts in the form of literature guides corresponding
to each title. She begins each chapter's lessons with reading compre-
hension questions -- great for sparking discussion with your children.
Rounding out the language arts study, the guide provides vocabulary
words for the student to define and a discussion of story elements
such as character, plot and setting as well as drawing attention to
literary techniques such as foreshadowing. She also includes activi-
ties that encourage the student to use what they've learned to write
their own stories. More than just a literature study, the guides
contain activity suggestions and leading questions for the student to
'Dig Deeper' into the scientific information presented throughout
the book. This helps to further solidify their understanding of the
facts presented both on the side of evolution and creation science,
including topics such as carbon-14 and radioactive dating.

As a mom, I find that I need all the help I can get instilling strong
family values and a Biblical worldview in my children. Whether you
prefer to use them as part of your curriculum with the literature
guides or as an enjoyable family read aloud, the Truth Seekers Mystery
Series delivers scientific facts, suspense and faith - all wrapped up
in an action-packed mystery with plenty of twists and turns to keep
you guessing to the very end!

"I was wondering if there were any other foster families out there that
homeschool. I currently homeschool my 5 year old son and I have a 2
year old. We have been licensed to take up to two more children ages
0-4. I was wondering if there were any other foster families out there
that homeschool and what advice you may have to keeping a schedule with
other children coming and going. Also, does anyone homeschool their
children and have foster children that attend public school?"
-- Kris in Florida

"We are in the process of becoming foster parents here in the Pacific
Northwest. We are only able to take up to 2 children. We homeschool
our 4 children, ages, 7, 10, 13 and 15.

I am looking forward to reading others' experiences. I do have a few
friends who homeschool and have fostered at the same time. I think the
key is to be flexible." -- Candace

---

"I've been a foster mom for about 4 years. We have been homeschooling
since birth and our daughter is now 9 years old and in third grade. We
only take young children so I have homeschooled a LOT with as many as 4
in diapers! The oldest child we've ever raised was 9 when she went back
home. The largest our family has gotten so far is 7 children at once.
We have school from 1:45 to around 4 pm, sometimes as late as 5 pm.
This is the quietest time (naptime!). We also school in the afternoons
because Daddy works 2nd shift and is home with us in the mornings, so
that time is family time with a big lunch/dinner with Dad.

It is challenging to keep school a priority when so many from the state
want your time -- parental visits, therapy and doctor appointments, case
manager visits and phone calls, and on and on it goes! Just keep focused
through praying all the time, going to God's Word that heals and fixes
all things, and have set in your mind a plan so that when anyone calls
to take more of your time you can say, for example, 'I need 24 hours to
think through my schedule and then I'll get back with you'... or 'I need
30 minutes to look at my calendar to see what day/time will work best
for our family'. This will give you time to look at things without the
pressure of someone on the other line waiting for your immediate reply.

Fosterparenting a few or several children is a very demanding job. At
times it is the most chaotic life and then, as my husband and I have
said, 'it is the most rewarding life you can live!' Just remember two
things... anything (or anyone) worth much will also cost a great deal!
And... big challenges only mean BIGGER miracles. When you foster a
troubled, hurting child (even a very young little one!) you will see
miracles take place in your home right before your very eyes -- IF you
pray all the way and use God's Word as your tool to guide you through
everything that comes your way -- and LOVE your little ones who desper-
ately need and want to hear all about Jesus!!! You can do it!

We have seen our precious daughter grow in the grace and knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ through our 'unusual' life experiences! There is
SO much more I could share and encourage you with but I would probably
have to write a BOOK! So I'll leave you with this -- keep your eyes on
the Lord! Not one of us in any capacity can live FOR Him WITHOUT Him!
(Romans 12:1,2)" -- Melissa S.

---

"I have non-relative custody of two children from our church, and 3 bio-
logical children. Non-relative care is basically foster care, but with-
out the benefits. For financial reasons my husband and I were going to
go the foster care route, but are now close to adopting them. I was
told by DCF that foster parents are now allowed to homeschool their
foster children as long as the biological parents give written consent.
I tried to handle half in school and half out, but it felt like I had
two separate families in one house. The two kids I have were 1-2 years
behind in school, and now they are almost caught up. All five children
are thriving in a homeschool setting! Even our case worker is happy with
the girls' progress." -- Katie M.

"Does anyone know of any homeschooling curriculum that is made for
blind children? My son is Cortically Blind and we had hoped to
homeschool him. However, I can't seem to find any curriculum that
he would be able to use. Any ideas?" -- Sarah

There are opportunities for you to be a sponsor of this
newsletter. If you are interested, drop an e-mail tomarketing@stretcher.com with "Homeschoolers-Notebook"
as the subject. We'll send you some information on how to
become a part of this ministry!

=====================
ADDITIONAL NOTES
=====================

All contributed articles are printed with the author's prior
consent. It is assumed that any questions, tips or replies to
questions may be reprinted. All letters become the property of
the "Homeschooler's Notebook". [Occasionally your contribution
may have to be edited for space.]